Back to the Basics

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We cannot neglect fundamental principles in ministry and expect to make a difference for eternity. We might put up some good appearances but in time what we do will suffer. We need to keep going back to the basics.

Why Remembering the Basics of the Christian Life Are So Important

How well we remember the basics can determine how well we stand and persevere. The basics form the foundation of all we do. A faulty foundation and eventually we crumble. A firm foundation and we can stand no matter how difficult life becomes. (Read Luke 6:46-49.)

How well we remember the basics can determine how well we flourish. Roots need good soil. Toxins, chemical imbalance, or excessive weeds can weaken or destroy what started as a good plant. Hard or rocky soil can keep things from growing. (Read Luke 8:12-15.)

Church Leaders May Need to Get Back to the Basics of God’s Purposes, Design, and Mission

Back to the Basics of Life in ChristEverything church leaders do needs to be firmly rooted in the basics of life in Christ like God’s purposes, design, mission, heart, and power for the Church. When leaders have a good grip on God’s intent for the Church, their own roles become more obvious, as well as the heart and means needed to fulfil that role.

Check out the church leadership training division of Ministry Tools Resource Center, TrainChurchLeaders.com, which devotes a section to getting leaders back to the basics.

Also check out the downloadable resources to help leaders steer the church in these directions.

All Believers Need to Remember and Live in Accordance with Who We are and What We Have in Christ

We all, regardless of ministry roles, need to get back to the basics in order to walk worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:1). We need to remember some key spiritual truths:

  • We are sinners saved by grace, cleansed from sin because of Jesus’ death on the cross. — Are you remembering that it is all about what He has done for you?
  • We were taken out of darkness to live in the light of His truth. — Are you living like a child of the light?
  • We are new creatures in Christ Jesus. — Are you growing more and more into the likeness of who you are in Christ Jesus?
  • We were placed into a Body of believers to be members of one another. — Are you taking time to fellowship with and serve other believers?
  • We are to be salt and light in this world. — Are you a testimony for Jesus in a bland and dark world?

Let’s guard against complicating the Christian life and what the Church is about. If we remember these basics we will be used by God to make a difference for eternity.

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All Authority Belongs to the Lord

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Jesus claimed, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14), the Head of the Church (Col. 1:18).  He is God who came in the flesh to whom every knee will one day bow (Phil. 2:5-11).

This means that regardless of who we are or what we do, whether we clean the bathrooms or pastor a church, we are under HIS authority. But, do we really believe that all authority belongs to the Lord?

Church leaders, do you lead like HE is “the authority” or do you expect others to treat you as the one? Bible teachers, do you teach like truth is from Him or as though you are “the authority”? Ministry workers in various areas of service, do you serve like HE is the One to whom you are accountable or do the opinions of others matter more?

An Acrostic of What It Looks Like When We Truly Believe All Authority Belongs to the Lord

Someone who truly believes that all authority belongs to the Lord tends to exhibit the following characteristics and actions:

Alignment
(strict adherence to His character and ways as communicated in His Word … as the One who is the ultimate standard)
Union
(undivided devotion to God, giving full allegiance to Him … as the One who is worthy)
Trust
(believing and relying on Him to do what He says … as the true and faithful One)
Honor
(attributing all glory and praise to Him … as the One of whom there is no greater)
Obedience
(doing that which He commands … as the One who is Lord)
Reverence
(deferring to Him in respect and awe of who He is … as the glorious One who is the absolute authority)
Intercession
(turning to Him and seeking His will in all situations … as the all-wise and all-powerful One)
Teachableness
(coming to Him as a humble servant and learning from Him … as the all-knowing One who is the source of all Truth)
Yieldedness
(submitting all of who you are and what you do to His leading and power … as the sovereign One)

What It Takes to Get to the Point of Acknowledging That He Has These Rights

Getting to this point in our lives begins with getting to know this God better.

Our Great God from A to Z has All Authority
Learn about the essence of who God is that gives Him rights as the supreme authority. Check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download for alphabetical listings of God’s many attributes.

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Disgruntled Ministry Workers

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Lined across the front of the platform during a worship service, a group of children joyfully move, singing their special song with motions. That is, except for one little boy people can’t take their eyes off. He stands there with a furrowed brow, arms tightly crossed in front of him, and not opening his mouth the whole time. His body language speaks volumes. He clearly doesn’t want to be there.

Now let’s think about ourselves and how we come across to those we serve. Do people get the message that we want to be there with them? How open are we in both our posture and words? Are we communicating that we care? Does joy exude from our being? Or, do we come across similar to that disgruntled little boy?

Focus Tends to Go to the Disgruntled Ministry Workers

Just like our attention keeps getting drawn to that one little boy, so it is human tendency to pick out those who aren’t doing well in ministry.

A Word for All Ministry Workers, Not Just the Disgruntled
We need to heed the Apostle Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonian church “to acknowledge those who work hard among you” (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Let’s not neglect to extend our appreciation and gratitude to people who are serving with the right attitudes, actions, and words. Let’s put some focus on the good, and not let the one or two disgruntled ones distract us.

And, since disgruntled ministry workers can not only pull attention off of those who are doing well, but also negatively affect the big picture, we need to continue on with Paul’s instruction. He said, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thess. 5:14)  — See and respond to the inner need behind the disgruntled exterior.

A Word for All of Us About Our Attitudes

If you are like the boy: You may have legitimate reasons for feeling disgruntled about your place of service but your attitude could do damage to the cause of Christ. Others will notice and get distracted from where they need to be focused. Don’t, however, repress your feelings or simply put on a front. Rather, ask God to search your heart and work in you a change of attitude and an ability to deal with the issue in a godly manner.

If you are the recipient of someone who doesn’t want to be there: Remind yourself that this is one person. Try not to judge everyone because of a bad experience with an individual or two. You’ll miss the big picture of good that is going on around you.

If you are the ministry leader with someone who doesn’t want to be there: Do you know why their attitude is such? Have you taken the time to come along side of this person to listen, encourage, and spur him/her on?

How will we live out 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 with one another?

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God’s Mission for the Church Revisited

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Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19-20). According to the Barna group, many people in the U.S. Church today don’t know what the Great Commission is. Though the term itself isn’t found in the Bible, we need to ask if people know the words themselves and their significance for us as believers. Even more important, are we fulfilling this mission? Perhaps it’s time to revisit God’s Mission for the Church.

A Look at Jesus’ Command in Matthew 28:19-20

Often we think of the Great Commission as the outreach arm of the Church. A careful look at Matthew 28:19-20, however, lets us know that it’s much more encompassing. We are to …

“go and make disciples of all nations” — That’s the outreach part. We take the Good News of Jesus to the world around us and beyond (Acts 1:8).

“baptizing … and teaching them to obey …” — That’s helping people who have put their trust in Jesus to become more fully devoted followers (disciples) of Jesus.

Let’s Not Limit the Great Commission to Outreach Efforts

Matthew 28:19-20 commissions us to not only lead people to the Lord but also to shepherd them in the ways of the Lord. This is the mission of the Church. It isn’t merely about how many new converts we make. It’s also about how many of those people are going on to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind, so that His love spills over into loving others as themselves (Matt. 22:36-40). And, it’s about how many of those people are doing their part in the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).

Need Help Revisiting God’s Mission of Discipleship?

Discipleship Bundle to Help with God's Mission for the ChurchThe TrainChurchLeaders.com site has a section devoted to this encompassing view of the Great Commission. The MinTools.com site divides it into two sections, one on Outreach Ministry and another on Shepherding Ministry. You’ll find much written on these sites but even more help if you order the Discipleship Bundle. In that resource you’ll get the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide, Outreach Ministry Manual, and Shepherding Manual. These resources will help you gain a more comprehensive view on our mission to go and make disciples. (Each of those resources can also be ordered separately.)

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God’s Design for Body Life Revisited

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A section of the MinTools.com site has been devoted to Body Life, God’s design for the Church. It not only considers what the Bible teaches about it but also what it looks like for us to function as God intends. The TrainChurchLeaders.com site encourages leaders to steer the Church toward Body Life by their example, not just their words. As we look at the current state of the Church, perhaps we would do well to revisit God’s design for the Body and then the responsibility we each have in it.

Body Life Defined Through an Analogy

Scripture refers to the Church as the Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head and we are members of the Body, suggesting that we belong to one another. Take time to revisit what God says about His design for the Church to function as a Body:

Ephesians 4:11-16
Romans 12:1-21
1 Corinthians 12:14-26

To help us think about the analogy of the Church as a Body, consider these realities about the human body:

  • The human body is a unit (one) made up of many parts.
  • Each part is important and needed.
  • Each part has a function that contributes to the whole.
  • Parts of the human body function interdependently.
  • Parts of the human body are dependent on the brain for growth, health, and directives.

God, therefore, intends for the Church to function similarly.

Implications for the Church as a Body

If the Church is to function similar to the human body, then Body Life is how we relate to one another in ways that demonstrate:

  1. unity out of diversity … every part important and needed
  2. interdependence on one another … every part contributing to other parts
  3. dependence on the Head … every part living according to directives from Him

Need Help Revisiting God’s Design for Body Life in the Church?

Body Life BundleIn addition to content provided on the sites mentioned above, check out the Body Life Bundle. The Body Life Ministry Manual builds off of the content on the MinTools.com site whereas the Steering the Church Toward Body Life Leadership Guide stems from content from the TrainChurchLeaders.com site. Together, these two resources provide a more comprehensive look at God’s design for Body Life in the Church but they can also be ordered individually.

More: Body Life Resources

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God’s Purposes for the Church Revisited

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When was the last you revisited your church’s purpose? You can get help with that on the MinTools.com site which has a section devoted to the church’s purpose beginning with a look at God’s unchanging priority. The TrainChurchLeaders.com site also deals with God’s purposes for the Church and how it affects various leadership responsibilities.

Do We Align with God’s Priority?

Based on what Jesus defined as the greatest commandments, we could conclude that our purpose would be to live out those commandments.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39)

The next verse cues us in to the importance and priority of these commands. Jesus asserted, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If the Law Hangs on Love for God and People, So Should our Church Purpose

The Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 are ways to show love for God and love for people.

Love for God:
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol.
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Love for People:
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house … wife.

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The theme of love for God and love for people runs through Scripture with the various commands lining up under these purposes. God’s objectives haven’t changed. Consequently, we should be able to make a two column chart for our church with the headings Love God and Love People. What we do should be able to fit under one column or the other. That which does not clearly fit, should be examined for its value of the time and resources it takes in light of these purposes.

The question we must ask is if we are actively pursuing and lining up with God’s purposes as a church. If not, why not?

Need Help with Revisiting God’s Purposes?

Church Purpose Bundle
In addition to content provided on the above mentioned sites, check out the Church Purpose Bundle. The Church Purpose Ministry Manual builds off of the content on the MinTools.com site and the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide from the TrainChurchLeaders.com site. Together, these two resources provide a more comprehensive look at our church purpose but they can also be ordered individually.

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